Well, I managed to finish my P51D Mustang after not buidling a model for about 50 years. It was quite an experience which brought back a lot of memories, and I learned a few things - albeit the "hard way". Anyway, a couple of questions for you veteran model builders, please:

1) Does anyone have a recommendation as to where I can find a ceiling hanger type device to hang my airplane from? I'm looking for something a little more sophisticated than #2 fishing line and scotch tape.

2) Does anyone know of someone and/or a website where they can make a "custom" decal for my next build? My next project is going to be an A4-E build as a surprise gift for a veteran Navy pilot who flew in Viet Nam. It would be a decal designating his "flight name", "aircraft name", or whatever the proper terminology is. That's the name that goes on the aircraft just below the canopy, each aircraft having its own name based on the pilot. From what you guys mentioned in one of my previous posts, a company called "Tamiya" is a kit builder, so I am going to try and find that aircraft if they offer it.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies. And here's a shout out to all of you on your current and next builds!

To your second question on decals. I found that when it comes to having custom decals printed, the companies that offer this service are only interested if you place an order for multiple sheets of decals.

When it comes to what you are asking, you can print your own decal. There are several manufacturers of blank decal paper and lots of info and videos that can be found through a simple Google search on how to print your own decals. A computer, ink jet or color laser printer and the most basic software are usually all that is needed.

Thank you for your reply, Route62. I appreciate your input. I was trying to avoid having to try and fabricate my own custom decal, but it may be the only option I have. Anyway, thanks again, and originally being from the east coast myself, I hope all is well with you during "hurricane season" in Florida.

I wrote a post the other day, but inadvertantly posted to the wrong thread. In generla here is what I meant to post here:

I started looking into custom decals for a What-If model that I'm building, that requires some "white" areas. So far I've found a few places that look like they might be able to do something. Here are a couple sites that I have come acrosss, but I haven't ordered anything from anyone yet, so I can't tell you anything about quality or service or anything like that.

In general, at least one of them shows a nominal price of about $40 per 8.5 x 11 sheet, so with a minimum order of only 1 sheet. So using a service like this may not necessarily be cheap, but also its not necessarily overly expensive either, especially if you maximize what you put on the single sheet (such as maybe filling otherwise unused space with generic symbols and stuff that you may be able to use on multiple other models).

For hanging I typically use ultra thin fishing line and a hook. Berkley Fireline 2lb test is very thin and strong. Its a fiber braided line.

When you take pictures, it is nearly invisible to see the line.

As for decals, It would not be cost effective to go to a company for just a couple of small decals. I make my own when I need custom ones. I can make the decals you need. I just need the scale you are doing and what decals you need. I assume you just need the name for the canopy edge. Do you have a picture of the style? Also if you can measure the length and height of the area so I can make the size exactly and what you want it to say.

I recently made decals for my current aircraft carrier project. I made the decals for the hangar bay and decals for the many 1:350 scale aircraft. Just send me a PM and we can work out the details of what you need.

If you have a light fixture in the room, there are several ways to hang a model from that. If it has a shade, I clip one of those binder clips over the edge of the shade, and tie a thread or line to the handle- the wire part- of the clip.

If there is no shade, most hardware stores carry clip-on shades, so you can add the shade and then do as above.

Or, on some fixtures you can loosen one of the mounting screws, tie a line around the screw, and gently screw the screw back in- gently to avoid abrading the line.